Kane 'excited' about heading to Europe

Patrick Kane says he's looking forward to the opportunity to play in Switzerland. (Phil Velasquez/Tribune Photo)

Patrick Kane will pack his bags and leave for Switzerland on Saturday to ride out the NHL lockout.

The Chicago Blackhawks forward said Wednesday the decision to join HC Biel in the Swiss National League A is all about the opportunity to play in games -- something it appears won't happen anytime soon in the NHL.

"It’s a good league for me," Kane said after an informal practice at Johnny's IceHouse West in Chicago. "It’s a pretty fast league, it’s on big ice and from what I’ve seen a lot of NHL players have gone over there. I’m excited about it. It will be nice to play some games and try to work on my skills a little bit over there."

Kane said the decision to play in Europe is not an indication that he believes there is no hope that the league and NHLPA will come to an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement and end the lockout that began Sept. 15.

"No, not at all," said Kane, who will play in Friday night's "Champs For Charity" exhibition with other members of the 2010 Stanley Cup champion team to benefit Ronald McDonald House charities. "If something happens tomorrow that would be great. It’s something where I feel I have to play games. If this keeps going on a little bit longer then I will be over there playing. It’s kind of like a safety valve. I’m very fortunate that Biel gave me the opportunity to play in Switzerland and I’m looking forward to it."

The Hawks played two exhibition games in Switzerland prior to opening the 2009-10 season in Helsinki, Finland, and Kane said he enjoyed his time there.

"A couple of years ago we went over and played a few games in Switzerland and I think it kind of jump-started me to a good start to the season and we won the (Stanley) Cup so hopefully it will do the same here."

Kane will not go to Switzerland alone.

"My mom (Donna) is going to go," the 23-year-old said. "I was actually going to bring my dad (Pat. Sr.). I got a text message from her (Wednesday) morning saying, 'it looks like it’s going to be me and you.' (My dad) can’t do the nine-hour ride. I’m sure he’ll try and watch every game he can and I’ll be happy to have my mom there too."

Also not making a trip to Europe anytime soon is Hawks teammate Jonathan Toews.

"I’ll know at a certain point once we get there what things will look like," Toews said. "It's still early at this point. It's tough to know what might happen in these next couple of weeks. The bigger picture become even clearer by the day and I think there will be a certain point where it will easy to understand what the season is going to look like and whether we’ll play hockey or not over here. At that point then we’ll see if it will be time to make a decision."